Fluent material confinement system

ABSTRACT

A collapsible fluent material confinement system configured to receive a granular fluent material to form a temporary barrier structure. The fluent material confinement system includes a plurality of strips coupled to one another to form an array of collapsible cells, wherein the array of collapsible cells is configured to be movable between a collapsed configuration and an open configuration. The fluent material confinement system also includes a deployment indicator disposed on a selected strip, wherein the deployment indicator is configured to be effective in low visibility conditions to indicate to a user how to move the grid from the collapsed configuration to the open configuration.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/633,297, filed Jul. 31, 2003, issuing as U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,806 onNov. 16, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser.No. 10/086,772, filed Feb. 28, 2002, now abandoned, which claimspriority from U.S. Provisional Patent Applications Ser. No. 60/272,128,filed on Feb. 28, 2001, and Ser. No. 60/274,738, filed on Mar. 9, 2001.This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/741,801, filed Dec. 18, 2003. All of the above applications arehereby incorporated by reference in their entireties for all purposes.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the confinement of a granular fluentmaterial to form temporary barrier structures. More particularly, thepresent invention provides a fluent material confinement systemconfigured to be easily deployable in low visibility conditions and/orrapidly joinable to adjacent fluent material confinement systems to forman extended structure.

BACKGROUND

Flooding is one of the most common natural disasters. When a danger of aflood arises, sometimes the only possible measure to take to preventloss of lives and/or damage to property is to construct a temporarybarrier to divert or contain the floodwaters. These structures mostcommonly take the form of a wall constructed of sand-filled bags.

While sandbag walls may provide a measure of protection against theforces of floodwaters, they also have several drawbacks. For example,the construction of a sandbag wall may require a large number of peopleand an excessive amount of time to fill the bags and arrange them into abarrier structure. Also, a sandbag wall may have points of weakness, asthe individual sandbags are generally merely stacked upon one another,rather than being attached to one another. Furthermore, the sandbags aregenerally not reusable. Thus, they may require an expensive andtime-consuming disposal process, and new ones may need to be purchasedafter each emergency event in anticipation of future emergency events.Therefore, there remains a need for a rapidly deployable system for theconstruction of temporary barrier structures that is suitable for use inprotecting property and lives during floods.

SUMMARY

A collapsible fluent material confinement system configured to receive agranular fluent material to form a temporary barrier structure isprovided, wherein the fluent material confinement system includes aplurality of strips coupled to one another to form an array ofcollapsible cells, wherein the array of collapsible cells is configuredto be movable between a collapsed configuration and an openconfiguration. The fluent material confinement system also includes adeployment indicator disposed on a selected strip, wherein thedeployment indicator is configured to be effective in low visibilityconditions to indicate to a user how to move the grid from the collapsedconfiguration to the open configuration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a first embodiment of a fluent materialconfinement system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a wider lengthwise strip of the embodiment ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view of a narrower lengthwise strip of the embodimentof FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a widthwise strip of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a firstcollapsed configuration.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 in a secondcollapsed configuration.

FIG. 7 is an isometric view demonstrating the deployment of theembodiment of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a plurality of fluent materialconfinement grids stacked, joined end-to-end, and filled with a granularfluent material to form a flood-retaining wall.

FIG. 9 is an isometric view of a fluent material confinement systemaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is an isometric view of a connector suitable for connecting twofluent material confinement grids according to the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 11 is a front view of an alternate narrower lengthwise stripsuitable for use with the embodiment of FIG. 9.

FIG. 12 is an isometric view of a fluent material confinement systemaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a front view of a narrower lengthwise strip of the embodimentof FIG. 12.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1 shows, generally at 10, a first embodiment of a fluent materialconfinement system according to the present invention. Fluent materialconfinement system 10 is formed from a plurality of generallystrip-shaped members coupled together in such a manner as to define anarray of open-ended cells 12. The plurality of strip-shaped membersincludes a plurality of lengthwise strips, indicated generally at 14,and a plurality of widthwise strips 16. Lengthwise strips 14 may includestrips of a first, greater width 14 a, and strips of a second, lesserwidth 14 b. The depicted arrangement of lengthwise strips 14 andwidthwise strips 16 defines at least two different types of cells,interior cells 12 a and exterior border cells 12 b. Furthermore, thedepicted arrangement of strips allows fluent material confinement system10 to be movable between an open configuration (shown in FIG. 1) and atleast one collapsed configuration, and may include one or moredeployment indicators 18 to assist in the movement of the system fromthe collapsed configuration to the open configuration.

Cells 12 are configured to receive a granular fluent material, such assand or gravel, and to prevent the fluent material from flowing orshifting a significant amount under horizontal or vertical loading. Thisresults in the formation of a mechanically strong, sturdy structure.Thus, a plurality of fluent material confinement systems 10 may bestacked and/or arranged end-to-end and then filled with a granularfluent material to construct any number of different barrier structures.For example, fluent confinement grids have been used or proposed for usein the past as temporary roads across sandy soil, revetments forbattlefields, or soil stabilization structures for stabilizing slopedterrain. Some of these and other possible uses are disclosed anddescribed in more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,797,026 to Webster, which ishereby incorporated by reference.

Lengthwise strips 14 and widthwise strips 16 may have any suitablelength. Typically, lengthwise strips 14 and widthwise strips 16 have alength in the range from three to six feet, and more typicallyapproximately 4 feet, although they may have a length outside of theseranges as well. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, lengthwise strips 14 andwidthwise strips 16 have the same length, giving fluent materialconfinement system 10 a generally square shape when in the openconfiguration.

Wider lengthwise strips 14 a may have any suitable width relative tonarrower lengthwise strips 14 b and widthwise strips 16. For example,wider lengthwise strips 14 a typically have a width of between ten andfourteen inches, and more typically approximately 12 inches, whilenarrower lengthwise strips 14 b and widthwise strips 16 typically have awidth of between six and ten inches and more typically approximately 8inches. However, lengthwise strips 14 and widthwise strips 16 may haveany other suitable dimensions. Furthermore, while fluent materialconfinement system 10 is shown as including eight lengthwise strips 14and six widthwise strips 16, a fluent material confinement systemaccording to the present invention may include any other suitable numberof lengthwise strip and/or widthwise strips without departing from thescope of the present invention.

As mentioned above, a fluent material confinement system according tothe present invention may configured to be attachable to other fluentmaterial confinement systems in either a stacked or side-by-sidearrangement. Thus, a fluent material confinement system according to thepresent invention may include any suitable connecting or supportingstructures to enable a plurality of fluent material confinement systemsto be connected in these manners. For example, fluent materialconfinement system 10 includes wider lengthwise strips 14 a, which helpto facilitate the stacking of a plurality of fluent material confinementsystems 10 to form a taller structure. Typically, fluent materialconfinement systems 10 are stacked by placing a first fluent materialconfinement system on the ground in a right-side-up orientation (asshown in FIG. 1), and then stacking other fluent material confinementsystems in an upside-down configuration on top of the first one. In thismanner, the portion of wider lengthwise strips 14 a that extends beyondthe width of narrower lengthwise strips 14 b extends into theconfinement system positioned immediately below, and thus helps toreinforce the border cells of that confinement system.

In the depicted embodiment, each wider lengthwise strip 14 a ispositioned one lengthwise strip 14 away from the outer edge of fluentmaterial confinement system 10. However, wider lengthwise strips 14 amay have any other desired location within fluent material confinementsystem 10. Furthermore, while the depicted embodiment includes two widerlengthwise strips 14 a, it will be appreciated that a fluent materialconfinement system according to the present invention may have eithermore or fewer wider lengthwise strips without departing from the scopeof the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows an exemplary wider lengthwise strip 14 a in more detail.Wider lengthwise strip 14 a includes a plurality of slots of severaldifferent types formed along the length of the strip. Each type of slottypically has a particular purpose. For example, some of the slots onwider lengthwise strip 14 a are widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20configured to accommodate the insertion of widthwise strips 16.Widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 allow the lengthwise strips andwidthwise strips to be interwoven to form fluent material confinementsystem 10. Widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 are configured to nestwithin complementary lengthwise strip-receiving slots on widthwisestrips 16, as described in more detail below.

Widthwise-strip-receiving slots are typically oriented perpendicular tothe long dimension of wider lengthwise strip 14 a.Widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 typically extend sufficiently farinto the width of wider lengthwise strip 14 a so that the top edges ofall widthwise strips 16 woven around a selected wider lengthwise stripare level with the top edges of narrower lengthwise strips 14 b. Thus,widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 that extend downwardly from the topedge of wider lengthwise strip 14 a may extend further into the width ofthe wider lengthwise strip than the widthwise-strip-receiving slots thatextend upwardly from the bottom edge of the wider lengthwise strip.

Widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 may have any desired spacing.Typically, widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 are spaced between fourand twelve inches apart, and more typically approximately seven inchesapart, but it will be appreciated that the widthwise-strip-receivingslots may also be spaced by a distance outside of these ranges. In thedepicted embodiment, widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 are spacedevenly, and alternately extend from the top edge and bottom edge ofwider lengthwise strip 14 a. The even spacing ofwidthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 creates cells of uniform dimensions,and may thus contribute to the regularity of the structural propertiesof fluent material confinement system 10. Furthermore, the alternatingarrangement of widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 allows the widerlengthwise strips and widthwise strips 16 to be interwoven, helping tohold fluent material confinement system 10 together during storage ortransport. The interwoven structure of fluent material confinementsystem 10 also may allow the fluent material confinement system to becollapsed into at least two different collapsed configurations, asdescribed in more detail below.

Besides widthwise-strip-receiving slots 20, wider lengthwise strip 14 aalso includes a plurality of stacking slots 22 to accommodate thestacking of a plurality of fluent material confinement systems 10.Stacking slots 22 are configured to receive the widthwise strips of aupper fluent material confinement system stacked on top of a lowerfluent material confinement system. This helps to stabilize the upperfluent material confinement system, and also allows both the widthwisestrips 16 and the narrower lengthwise strips 14 b of the upper system torest substantially fully against the widthwise strips and narrowerlengthwise strips of the lower system when the systems are stacked.

Wider lengthwise strip 14 a may also include a connecting slot 24disposed at each of its ends for joining fluent material confinementsystem 10 to adjacent fluent material confinement systems in aside-by-side arrangement to form an extended structure. Connecting slot24 is configured to be inserted into a complementary connecting slot 24on an adjacent fluent material confinement system to join the twoconfinement systems together. However, a fluent material confinementsystem according to the present invention may utilize any other suitableconnecting structure for connecting a plurality of fluent materialconfinement systems in a side-by-side manner. Other suitable connectingstructures are described in more detail below.

Due to the regular or substantially symmetric shape of fluent materialconfinement system 10 when it is in the collapsed configurations, a usermay have difficulty determining where best to grip the fluent materialconfinement system, and which direction to move the strip that isgripped to open the system, in poor visibility conditions. However,during emergency operations, such as the construction of aflood-retaining wall, time is generally of the essence, and any timewasted trying to determine how to deploy an emergency system such as thefluent material confinement system may jeopardize property and/or lives.Thus, fluent material confinement system 10 may include one or moredeployment indicators 18 configured to be effective in low lightconditions to instruct a user how to move the fluent materialconfinement system from at least one of the collapsed positions to theopened position.

A deployment indicator according to the present invention may enhancethe operability of a fluent material confinement system in any desiredmanner. In the depicted embodiment, deployment indicators 18 indicatehow fluent material confinement system 10 is to be moved from the closedposition to the opened position via a visually enhanced instructionalindicia disposed on wider lengthwise strips 14 a. Deployment indicators18 include a visibility enhancing background portion 26, and anindicating portion 28. Background portion 26 is typically formed from areflective or fluorescent material to visually enhance the portions offluent material confinement system 10 at which a user (or users) shouldhold the fluent material confinement system when deploying the system.Indicating portion 28 is at least partially within, and typically fullywithin, background portion 26, and is configured to stand out againstthe background portion so that the instructions contained within theindicating portion may be easily read and followed.

Indicating portion 28 may include any suitable indicia for indicatinghow fluent material confinement system 10 is to be moved to the openconfiguration. For example, in the depicted embodiment, indicatingportion 28 has a legend indicating where a user is to grip fluentmaterial confinement system 10, and also has an arrow indicating whichdirection the user is to move the fluent material confinement system tomove the system to the opened position. While deployment indicator 18 isconfigured to visually enhance the portions of fluent materialconfinement system 10 that are to be gripped by a user, it will beappreciated that deployment indicator 18 may function in any othersuitable manner. For example, the deployment indicator may include aseries of raised bumps or ridges to indicate where fluent materialconfinement system 10 is to be grasped via tactile enhancement.

Narrower lengthwise strip 14 b is shown in more detail in FIG. 3. Likewider lengthwise strips 14 a, narrower lengthwise strips 14 b include aplurality of slots of different types. For example, narrower lengthwisestrips 14 b include a plurality of widthwise-strip-receiving slots 30that allow the narrower lengthwise strips to be coupled with widthwisestrips 16. In the depicted embodiment, widthwise-strip-receiving slots30 alternately extend from the top and bottom edges of narrowerlengthwise strips 14 b. This allows narrower lengthwise strips 14 b tobe interwoven with widthwise strips 16. Alternatively, allwidthwise-strip-receiving slots 30 may extend from the same edge ofnarrower lengthwise strips 14 b if desired. Narrower lengthwise strips14 b also may include one or more connecting slots 32 configured to becoupled to a complementary connecting slot on an adjacent fluentmaterial confinement system to connect the systems in a side-by-sidemanner.

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary widthwise strip 16 in more detail. Eachwidthwise strip 16 includes a plurality of lengthwise-strip-receivingslots 34 disposed along the length of the widthwise strip.Lengthwise-strip-receiving slots 34 are configured to be joined withwidthwise-strip-receiving slots 20 in wider lengthwise strip 14 a, andwith widthwise-strip-receiving slots 30 in narrower lengthwise strip 14b. In the depicted embodiment, lengthwise-strip-receiving slots 34extend alternately from the top edge and bottom edge of each widthwisestrip 16 so that the widthwise strips may be interwoven with thelengthwise strips. However, lengthwise-strip-receiving slots 34 may alsoextend from only one edge of widthwise strips 16 without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

Besides lengthwise-strip-receiving slots 34, widthwise strips 16 alsomay include border cell slots 36 formed in the ends of each widthwisestrip. Border cell slots 36 are configured to receive an outerlengthwise strip 14 to create border cells 12 b. Border cell slots 36may be spaced any desired distance from the adjacentlengthwise-strip-receiving slot 34. In the depicted embodiment, eachborder cell slot 36 is spaced approximately half the distance from thenearest lengthwise-strip-receiving slot 36. This creates border cells 12b of a smaller volume than interior cells 12 a, and thus may make bordercells more rigid for improved resistance to forces generated by staticwater pressures and wave impacts.

The various strips that form fluent material confinement system 10 maybe made from any suitable materials. Suitable materials include strong,flexible plastics that are lightweight and damage resistant. Suchmaterials reduce the weight and increase the durability of sandconfinement grid system 10. The materials should also be relativelystiff to resist wave impacts, static water pressure and sand pressures,yet be sufficiently flexible to be interwoven. Furthermore, thematerials are preferably transparent or translucent to allow the levelof sand within the sand confinement grid system to be easily monitored.Some examples of suitable materials are PET (poly(ethyleneterephthalate)), PETG (a copolyester of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate)), PCTG(poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate)), polyvinyl chloride,and polycarbonates such as bisphenol A polycarbonate. In contrast,softer, more flexible materials such as high density polyethylene maynot have the necessary strength to withstand shifting under suchconditions.

Many different additives may be used to modify the properties of thesematerials as needed. For example, UV absorbers may be added as either astarting material or as a coating on the finished product to increasethe resistance of the material to UV degradation. Other possibleadditives include impact modifiers to increase impact resistance, andflexural modifiers to adjust the stiffness of the materials.

As mentioned above, fluent material confinement system 10 is configuredto be collapsible into at least one collapsed configuration for ease ofstorage and transport. FIG. 5 shows a first collapsed configuration offluent material confinement system 10, in which the fluent materialconfinement system is collapsed down to a substantially flat sheet-likeshape. In the configuration of FIG. 5, a large number of fluent materialconfinement systems 10 may be stacked in a relatively small amount ofspace for palletized storage. Furthermore, in this configuration,deployment indicators 18 are disposed on the top surface of fluentmaterial confinement system 10, in plain view of users who are deployingthe system. Thus, the users can easily determine where to grip and howto open fluent material confinement system 10 with only a quick glanceat the system.

FIG. 6 shows a second possible collapsed configuration for fluentmaterial confinement system 10. In this configuration, fluent materialconfinement system 10 is collapsed into a narrow structure of the samewidth as wider lengthwise strips 14 a. Just as with the collapsedconfiguration of FIG. 5, deployment indicators 18 may be configured toindicate where a user is to grip fluent material confinement system 10to deploy the system, as well as the direction in which the system is tobe moved for deployment.

Fluent material confinement system 10 occupies only a small amount ofspace when in the collapsed configuration of FIG. 6. Thus, a pluralityof fluent material confinement systems 10 may be easily stored in aside-by-side and stacked arrangement when in the collapsed configurationof FIG. 6 for palletized storage.

FIG. 7 shows, generally at 110, a second embodiment of a fluent materialconfinement system according to the present invention. Fluent materialconfinement system 110 has many of the same features as fluent materialconfinement system 10. For example, fluent material confinement system110 includes a plurality of interior cells 112 a bordered by a pluralityof border cells 112 b. Interior cells 112 a and exterior cells 112 b areformed from an interconnected network of lengthwise strips 114 andwidthwise strips 116. Lengthwise strips 114 may include both widerlengthwise strips 114 a, and narrower lengthwise strips 114 b.Furthermore, fluent material confinement system 110 may include aplurality of deployment indicators 118 configured to assist thedeployment of the fluent material confinement system in low visibilityconditions.

Fluent material confinement system 110 differs from fluent materialconfinement system 10, however, in that fluent material confinementsystem 110 employs a different connecting structure 120 for connectingadjacent fluent material confinement systems in a side-by-side manner.Connecting structure 120 includes an aperture 122 disposed at a locationspaced from the edges of the end of narrower lengthwise strip 114 b.Each aperture 122 is configured to be aligned with a complementaryaperture on an adjacent fluent material confinement system, and toaccept the insertion of a connector to join the two fluent materialconfinement systems together. In the depicted embodiment, each narrowerlengthwise strip 114 b includes two connecting structures 120. However,it will be appreciated that any other number of narrower lengthwisestrips 114 b may have connecting structures 120, that each (or any)narrower lengthwise strip may include only one connecting structure andthat wider lengthwise strips 114 a may also have similar connectingstructures, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 8 shows, generally at 130, an example of a suitable connector foruse with connecting structure 120. Connector 130 includes a pair ofdownwardly extending members 132 connected by a resilient top member134. Downwardly extending members 132 are configured to pinch the endsof a pair of lengthwise strips 114 from adjacent fluent materialconfinement systems 110 together. Furthermore, one downwardly extendingmember 132 includes an extension 136 configured to fit through aperture122. The other downwardly extending member 132 includes an aperture 138through which extension 136 may extend. Connector 130 may be used toconnect adjacent lengthwise strips 114 together by first aligningapertures 122 on the adjacent strips, and then placing connector 130over the struts such that cylindrical extension 136 extends through bothapertures 122 on lengthwise members 114.

Typically, cylindrical extension 136 has a circumference similar inshape and dimension to the inner circumference of apertures 122 toprevent the fluent material from flowing through apertures 122. In thedepicted embodiment, extension 136 has a generally cylindrical shapeconfigured to fit through the generally circular apertures 122 onlengthwise strips 114. However, it will be appreciated that extension136 and apertures 122 may have any other suitable shape withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 9 shows an alternate configuration of a narrower lengthwise strip214 b suitable for use with the embodiment of FIG. 7. Narrowerlengthwise strip 214 b is similar to narrower lengthwise strip 114 b inmany respects. For example, narrower lengthwise strip 214 b includes aconnecting structures 220 formed at each end of the strip. Likewise,each connecting structures 220 includes an aperture 222 configured to bealigned with a complementary aperture on an adjacent fluent materialconfinement system and joined together with connector 130. However,connecting structures 220 also include recesses 224 formed in the topand bottom edges of narrower lengthwise strip 214 b at each of its ends.Recesses 224 are configured to accommodate top member 134 of connector130, and hold connector 130 in place when the connector is engaged withconnecting structure 220. While recesses 224 are formed on two edges ofeach end of narrower lengthwise strip 214 b, it will be appreciated thatthe recesses may also be formed only on one end, or only one recess maybe formed in each end of the narrower lengthwise strip, withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention.

FIG. 10 shows, generally at 310, a third embodiment of a fluent materialconfinement system according to the present invention. Fluent materialconfinement system 310 has many of the same features as fluent materialconfinement systems 10 and 110. For example, fluent material confinementsystem 310 includes a plurality of interior cells 312 a bordered by aplurality of border cells 312 b. Interior cells 312 a and exterior cells312 b are formed from an interconnected network of lengthwise strips 314and widthwise strips 316. Lengthwise strips 314 may include both widerlengthwise strips 314 a and narrower lengthwise strips 314 b.Furthermore, fluent material confinement system 310 may include aplurality of deployment indicators 318 configured to assist thedeployment of the fluent material confinement system in low visibilityconditions.

Fluent material confinement system 310 further includes connectingstructures 320 disposed adjacent each end. Each connecting structure 320includes a “U”-shaped aperture 322 spaced from the edges of the ends ofnarrower lengthwise strip 314 b. Narrower lengthwise strip 314 b isshown in more detail in FIG. 11. The “U”-shaped configuration ofaperture 322 forms a tongue 324 surrounded on three sides by aperture322. Also, the aperture 322 a and tongue 324 a structures on one end ofnarrower lengthwise strip 314 b are oriented 180 degrees from theaperture 322 b and tongue 324 b structures on the other end of thenarrower lengthwise strip. Thus, when two fluent material confinementsystems 310 are arranged in a side-by-side manner, aperture 322 a on onefluent material confinement system is disposed adjacent aperture 322 bon the other fluent material confinement system. In this matter, tongue324 a on one fluent material confinement system can be inserted behindtongue 324 b and through aperture 322 b on the other fluent materialconfinement system to join the two systems together.

While each aperture 322 in the depicted embodiment has a generally“U”-shaped configuration, it will be appreciated that the aperture mayhave any other suitable configuration, such as a simple horizontal slotor a “V”-shaped configuration, without departing from the scope of thepresent invention.

Fluent material confinement system 310 (or systems 10 or 110) may alsoinclude an orientation indicator 326 disposed on a selected strip.Orientation indicator 326 helps a user to determine the orientation offluent material confinement system 310 in inclement weather or other lowvisibility conditions. This may assist in the stacking of a plurality offluent material confinement systems 310, as the orientation indicator ofan upper fluent material confinement system in a stacked arrangement canbe aligned with the orientation indicator of a lower fluent materialconfinement system to ensure the two fluent material confinement systemsare in the correct orientation relative to one another.

Typically, fluent material confinement systems 10, 110 or 310 aredeployed by two users, as shown in FIG. 12 in the context of fluentconfinement system 310. The users stand face to face on opposite sidesof the collapsed fluent material confinement system 310, grip the fluentmaterial confinement system where indicated, and simply pull in thedirection indicated by deployment indicators 318. This causes fluentmaterial confinement system 310 to quickly and easily convert to theopen configuration. Then, fluent material confinement system 310 may beplaced in a desired location, and another fluent material confinementsystem opened for placement on top of or beside the first one to form anextended structure. The structures may then simply be filled with sandor other fluent material by a third person utilizing a suitable piece ofequipment, such as a front loader, to complete the barrier structure.When the barrier structure is no longer needed, the temporary barrierstructure may be disassembled by simply pulling the fluent materialconfinement systems off of one another, allowing the fluent material tofall out of the cells, and converting the fluent material confinementsystems to a collapsed configuration for storage.

In some circumstances, a barrier structure of suitable strength may beconstructed simply by filling an extended structure made of a pluralityof fluent material confinement systems 310 with a single granularmaterial, such as sand or local soils. However, in other circumstances,a stronger structure may be needed. In these circumstances, a differentmaterial may be added to the border cells to reinforce the outer portionof the extended structure. Examples of materials that may be added tothe outer border cells to reinforce the extended structure includeconcrete or cement. The concrete or cement may have any suitableproportion of components. A cement mixture of approximately 20:1 hasbeen proven to be particularly advantageous in reinforcing the bordercells, as a cement of this mixture has good hardness properties, yet canbe broken down for removal without undue effort.

A barrier with cement or concrete-filled outer border cells may beconstructed in any suitable manner. One example of a suitable method ofconstruction is as follows. First, a plurality of fluent materialconfinement systems 310 are stacked to a desired height and arranged toa desired length. As described above, the bottommost fluent materialconfinement system is positioned right side up, and other grid systemsare positioned upside-down on top of the bottommost grid system. Next,interior cells 312 a are covered with a suitable structure to preventcement from entering the interior cells during the pouring process.Border cells 312 b are left exposed. Examples of suitable structures forcovering interior cells 312 a include sheets of plywood or lightweightmetal. Next, a cement mixture is poured into border cells 312 b. Thecovering structures are then removed, and the fluent material is pouredinto interior cells 312 a, typically using a front-loader or similarpiece of heavy equipment. This method allows a solid barrier structureof a significant height and length to be rapidly constructed with theuse of a small number of workers. If extra strength is desired, a secondfluent material confinement system barrier may be build directly behindand against the first barrier to double the thickness of the protectivebarrier.

FIG. 13 shows a protective barrier constructed via another methodaccording to the present invention. In some use environments, such asurban areas, a barrier 40 constructed of a plurality of fluent materialconfinement systems 10, 110 or 310 may need to be built against anotherfixed object 42, such as a wall of a building or a bridge piling. Inthis case, the region in which barrier structure 40 meets the fixedobject 42 may need to be sealed or reinforced with other materials toprevent water from seeping around the edges of, or underneath the bottomof, the temporary barrier. One suitable method of reinforcing these edgeregions is to surround the edge regions with material-filled bags 44.Bags 44 may contain sand, or any other suitable material, such as acement mixture. Moreover, a cement mixture, typically a 20:1 mixture,may be poured into the space between the fixed object and the barrier tofill any space left between the barrier. Finally, a line of bags 44 mayalso be placed along the bottom of barrier structure 40 to prevent waterfrom seeping underneath the bottom of barrier structure 40. The fluentmaterial 46 contained within barrier structure 40 provides thestructural integrity for the wall, while sandbags 44 seal the seamsbetween the barrier structure and other surrounding structures.

The disclosure set forth above encompasses multiple distinct inventionswith independent utility. Although each of these inventions has beendisclosed in its preferred form(s), the specific embodiments thereof asdisclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limitingsense, because numerous variations are possible. The subject matter ofthe inventions includes all novel and nonobvious combinations andsubcombinations of the various elements, features, functions, and/orproperties disclosed herein. The following claims particularly point outcertain combinations and subcombinations regarded as novel andnonobvious and directed to one of the inventions. These claims may referto “an” element or “a first” element or the equivalent thereof; suchclaims should be understood to include incorporation of one or more suchelements, neither requiring nor excluding two or more such elements.Inventions embodied in other combinations and subcombinations offeatures, functions, elements, and/or properties may be claimed throughamendment of the present claims or through presentation of new claims inthis or a related application. Such claims, whether directed to adifferent invention or to the same invention, and whether broader,narrower, equal, or different in scope to the original claims, also areregarded as included within the subject matter of the inventions of thepresent disclosure.

1. A collapsible fluent material confinement system configured toreceive a granular fluent material to form a temporary barrierstructure, the fluent material confinement system comprising: aplurality of strips coupled to one another to form a grid, the pluralityof strips including a plurality of lengthwise strips and a plurality ofwidthwise strips, wherein the lengthwise strips and widthwise strips arecoupled with one another such that the grid is movable between an openconfiguration, in which the cells are expanded to receive the granularfluent material, and at least one collapsed configuration for storage;and a deployment indicator disposed on a selected strip, wherein thedeployment indicator is configured to be effective in low visibilityconditions to indicate to a user how to move the grid from the collapsedconfiguration to the open configuration.
 2. The fluent materialconfinement system of claim 1, wherein each strip of the plurality ofstrips includes a width, wherein at least one selected strip has agreater width than the other strips, and wherein the deploymentindicator is disposed on the selected strip.
 3. The fluent materialconfinement system of claim 1, wherein the deployment indicator isconfigured to visually enhance a portion of the selected strip.
 4. Thefluent material confinement system of claim 3, wherein the deploymentindicator includes a reflective portion.
 5. The fluent materialconfinement system of claim 4, wherein the reflective portion is abackground portion, and wherein the deployment indicator includes adirectionally indicating portion disposed within the background portion.6. The fluent material confinement system of claim 5, wherein thedirectionally indicating portion includes an alphanumeric portion. 7.The fluent material confinement system of claim 5, wherein thedirectionally indicating portion includes an arrow indicating adirection in which a user is to pull to move the grid from the at leastone collapsed configuration to the open configuration.
 8. The fluentmaterial confinement system of claim 5, wherein the at least onecollapsed configuration includes a substantially flattened, sheet-likeconfiguration, and wherein the directionally indicating portionindicates a direction the selected strip is to be pulled to move thegrid to the open configuration from the substantially flattened,sheet-like configuration.
 9. The fluent material confinement system ofclaim 5, wherein the at least one collapsed configuration includes asubstantially flattened, narrow configuration, and wherein thedirectionally indicating portion indicates a direction the selectedstrip is to be pulled to move the grid to the open configuration fromthe substantially flattened, narrow configuration.
 10. The fluentmaterial confinement system of claim 3, wherein the deployment indicatorincludes a fluorescent portion.
 11. The fluent material confinementsystem of claim 1, wherein the strips are made of a translucentmaterial.
 12. The fluent material confinement system of claim 12,wherein the strips are made of a material selected from the groupconsisting of PET (poly(ethylene terephthalate)), PETG (a copolyester of1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol-modified poly(ethylene terephthalate)), PCTG(poly(1,4-cyclohexylene dimethylene terephthalate)), polyvinyl chloride,polycarbonates, and bisphenol A polycarbonate.
 13. A method of using acollapsible fluent material confinement system configured to receive agranular fluent material to form a temporary barrier structure, thefluent material confinement system including a plurality of stripscoupled to one another to form a grid, the plurality of strips includinga plurality of lengthwise strips and a plurality of widthwise strips,wherein the lengthwise strips and widthwise strips are coupled with oneanother such that the grid is movable between an open configuration, inwhich the cells are expanded to receive the granular fluent material,and at least one collapsed configuration for storage, the fluentmaterial confinement system also including a deployment indicatordisposed on a selected strip, wherein the deployment indicator isconfigured to be effective in low visibility conditions to indicate to auser how to move the grid from the collapsed configuration to the openconfiguration, the method comprising: deploying the grid as directed bythe deployment indicator; and filling the cells of the grid with thegranular fluent material.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein deployingthe grid as directed by the deployment indicator includes grasping thegrid at locations indicated by the deployment indicator.
 15. The methodof claim 13, wherein deploying the grid as directed by the deploymentindicator includes moving a selected strip of the grid in a directionindicated by the deployment indicator.
 16. The method of claim 13,wherein the grid is a first grid, further comprising deploying a secondgrid and stacking the second grid on the first grid before filling thecells of the grid with the fluent granular material.
 17. The method ofclaim 13, wherein the grid is a first grid, further comprising deployinga second grid and connecting the second grid to the first grid in aside-by-side manner before filling the cells of the grid with the fluentmaterial.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein connecting the second gridto the first grid includes inserting a tongue on the first grid througha slot on the second grid.
 19. A collapsible fluent material confinementsystem configured to receive a granular fluent material to form atemporary barrier structure, the fluent material confinement systemcomprising: a plurality of strips coupled to one another to form a grid,the plurality of strips including a plurality of lengthwise strips and aplurality of widthwise strips, wherein the lengthwise strips andwidthwise strips are coupled with one another such that the grid ismovable between an open configuration, in which the cells are expandedto receive the granular fluent material, and at least one collapsedconfiguration for storage; and an orientation indicator disposed on aselected strip, wherein the orientation indicator is configured to beeffective in low visibility conditions to indicate to a user theorientation of the grid to facilitate stacking of a plurality of thegrids.
 20. The fluent material confinement system of claim 19, whereinthe grid is a first grid, and wherein the orientation indicator isconfigured to be aligned with an orientation indicator of a second gridwhen the second grid is stacked on the first grid.